Dynafit brakes - do you like 'em?

I have the B&D leashes and they are very effective for me. Like advertised, I can pop a ski, re-skin, and step back in without messing with the leash - so, in theory, you could put the leash on just once per day if you never need to get too far away from you ski.

The ATK leash looks like it uses a different clip (not much difference) and a shorter length of wound up cord, adding a requirement to de-clip and re-clip to remove a ski to re-skin it.

I have brakes on my kingpin bindings, but have not yet toured in them. The brake is convenient at the resort to be able to operate more like an alpine binding WRT gondolas, warming huts, etc. In the backcountry I will probably also use the leash because of the added security.

The breakable link is also a nice feature on the B&D setup, and like others, I have broken a link or two with some epic double-boot-ejections; extra links always come with me for that reason.

dynafit brakes seldom deploy on their own ...

??? Not my experience at all, mine have never failed to deploy and they have had ample opportunity. Sounds like the undeployable brakes maybe too narrow and might need some shaving of the plastic tips. My only observation about these brakes' function is that they are not nearly as big as alpine brakes and thus can't provide the same stoppiing power.

I bought a pair of the B&D's yesterday, seems better than the cable I'm replacing, and was the only option I could find available locally yesterday except for fabric straps which I tried back in the day and wasn't fond of. I'm on an old set of TLT speeds so brakes aren't an option. I like the zip tie, seems a reasonable way to connect the common cable leash.

Thanks all for your input.

None of my Dynafit's have brakes. They either were either removed by me manually, or did not ship with brakes in the first place. This is the only way I've ever skied with Dynafit's and the only way I would recommend to others.

Ski leashes are mandatory with no brakes regardless of conditions.

It's easy to find a secure place to put a loop of strong accessory cord through the tongue of your boot. Then you simply loop a tiny, easy break apart zip-tie through the accessory cord. Clip into the zip-ties when you want to have the option of your skis come loose from your feet. Clip into the accessory cord directly when you do not want your skis to have an option to be separated from you. (e.g., while skinning) I carry 5-6 extra zip-ties in my bag at all times in case I need to replace one in the field. The weight of these is substantially less the brakes, so not even worth a weight discussion. My 100 pack of tiny zip-ties cost me a couple bucks at the hardware store.

Also FYI: Even though I have only demoed the Marker KingPins once, it was on a pair with brakes and seemed less than ideal with regard to useless crap, and fidgeting. It's a 5 minute procedure to remove brakes from Kingpins, as I have done on KJB's skis. She seems very happy with her brakeless KingPins with leashes.

To summarize, brakes are for people that want to go slow. Whether that's on the uphill because of the extra weight, or on the downhill because they are spending an hour or more searching for a missing ski, when they could be skiing powder, or just skiing period. And I like to go fast.

Just another 2 cents worth but a different take( exactly opposite in fact) and an update on my old post

Since my posts above in this thread over 7 years ago I have skied exclusively on dynafits inbounds and BC.
I tried the B&D leashes and I came to hate them. Gave mine away. I won't bore you with the details but IMHO they are useless and dangerous in avi conditions.

I've got brakes on all 5 pairs of my dynafits and brakes on all 2 pairs of my wife's Kingpins and it only took me 2 minutes per ski to put them on my wife's Kingpins

I too like to go fast... and I have never lost a ski with a brake and I've skied a lot of powder in the last 7 years since my post above. I did lose a ski ( found it eventually)when using the leashes when the link broke and the leashless ski continued on its way without me.

But to each their own as the post above this one indicates.
There are obviously ardent disciples of both systems ( leashes vrs brakes)and you need to experiment with what suits you to find out what religion you decide upon.

Not the rave review of the B&D leashes I hoped for, since I already bought them, but oh well. Hopefully it will take a while before I hate them. They sure weigh a lot for a leash.